Have you ever wondered
why Jesus warned the people he touched not to reveal who he was? In Matthew 12 it says, “But Jesus knew what they (the Pharisees) were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was.” Matthew 12:15-16 So many times, in the scripture, Jesus says things like, “Pick up your mat and walk.” “Be clean and tell no one, but go straight to the priest to be examined and confirmed as cured.” “Neither do I condemn you, now go and sin no more.” “Don’t tell anyone, how your sight has been restored.” I used to think that Jesus was just being humble, but now I believe it to be so much more. First, while Jesus healed out of love and compassion, the physical miracle was NOT his goal or mission. He did not want people to focus on the miracles he performed, but rather he wanted them to be transformed, “To repent and sin no more.” He wanted people to know that he had the authority to bless, by bringing them back into relationship with God. He wanted people to know that His love is so strong that he can reverse a curse, resurrect people from the dead, heal them, transform them and give them new life again. He wanted people to know that He was Chosen, God’s Beloved Son - God's Faithful Servant. The One who existed from the beginning, the Word that came into being - the prophecy fulfilled. Matthew says, “This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.” Matthew 12:15-21 NLT Jesus knew his primary mission - which was to be the Lamb of God, the final sacrifice for humanity's sin. He did not want public attention of awe and wonder to divert the real message from spreading. But for us humans, it’s hard to contain the excitement when you have been touched by God. You want everyone to know where your hope comes from! You want everyone to know that you did not do it in your own, and that all the glory goes to God! You see, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:1-5 NLT
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